Change Image To Bring Back Scared-off Tourists

OPINION LETTERS

Does anyone really realize the dramatic effects that the negative news reports about Kissimmee are having on the Europeans?

Ken Burger, general manager at the Ponderosa Steak House at 4024 W. Vine St., was informed about the problem recently through a letter sent to him from a loyal yearly visitor from England.

I quote from the letter Mr. Burger received: ''Kissimmee has been on the news quite a lot just lately. After the last shooting on the TV they had a ballot to find out the people's opinion by saying, of those people who had booked for Orlando already, how many would change their minds? The vote was 75 percent would cancel their holiday and 25 percent would not.''

Mr. Burger took it upon himself to arrange a meeting with Sheriff Charlie Croft to discuss the problems we are experiencing as neighbors, as well as the effects on our local businesses. We all readily admit that if it were not for our tourist trade, most businesses would not be able to sustain enough trade to be profitable.

What is the next step? We must join together, support our local police departments and their efforts and minimize the opportunity for further mishaps. More and more we need to look out for one another, inform one another and join Crime Watch committees.

We must redeem ourselves and most of all the reputation of Kissimmee. If doors are locked, cars locked and common sense used, I venture to say more than half of these crimes might not have happened.